The museum that houses the documents and artifacts belonging to the Seligman Historical Society is The Cottage Hotel. It is not generally accessible to the public. The Historical Society opens it only during town celebrations such as Route 66 Days, and for groups, such as Elder Hostel, that have made arrangements in advance.
Personnel at the local library should be able to provide further information on how to access the Historical Society's materials. Contact the librarian, Charlotte Lindemuth (520-422-3633).
Many of the holdings of the Seligman Historical Society reflect the fact that ranching and the railroad have been important factors in the social and economic life of the town.
History of Seligman area
In 1857-58, Lt. Edward (known as "Ned") Beale was responsible for surveying the route that ran along the 35th parallel. His task was to find the most efficient way to move humans and animals from New Mexico to California. The route he took, with the aid of Middle-Eastern camels that were thought to solve transportation problems in the arid Southwest, is integral to the history of Seligman.
The Beale Trail, important for transporting livestock to California, ran close to Seligman, and area residents like Roy Schucking, whose parents came to Arizona in 1904, recall the trail as part of the romance of their youthful years. Later a railroad replaced the trail. Mr. Schucking's family, like many in the area, depended on agriculture, mostly ranching, for their living. But they, like other area residents, were also dependent on the railroad.
The railroad that was built through the area did not exactly follow the Beale Trail, but it came close, and Seligman was built to serve the railroad. Seligman was an important railroad terminus, once known as Prescott Junction. However, the original line going from Prescott Junction to Prescott was very inefficient, so a new line was created, going from Ash Fork to Prescott, and the "Junction" changed its name. Seligman takes its name from two brothers, New York bankers and early day land developers, who were connected with the Santa Fe Railroad.
It was the Santa Fe that was essential to Seligman early on. A depot was built there. The standard on the Santa Fe was to place depots about every 15-20 miles. Between depots, the company built section houses about every 5 miles. Laborers who lived in and around the section houses were responsible for maintaining the tracks, which was a continuous project.
Seligman itself was an important layover for railroad workers who operated between Winslow and Needles. In order to support temporary and permanent railroad employees, as well as tourists and coast-to-coast travelers, the town needed hotels, rooming houses, and cafes. Eventually the Fred Harvey Company erected a Harvey House in Seligman, and it is still standing, though it is boarded up.
Just as the railroad was important for the economy in Seligman, so was another kind of road. Route 66 ran through town, taking automobile passengers across country. Now, however, both sources of income have abandoned the area. In the 1970s, a new interstate (I-40) by-passed the town, and rail passenger travel had been halted earlier, in 1965. Today, most trains do not even stop at Seligman.
Ranching is still important in the area, however, as is tourism. Through efforts of local citizens like Angel Delgadillo, tourists can still get a nostalgic view of Route 66.
History of the Seligman Historical Society
For years, Seligman residents have been interested in preserving the history of the area. At one point, they began collecting documents and artifacts and placing them in the old Cottage Hotel. This structure, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1912. It was called the Cottage Hotel because the woman who built it lived there and rented rooms to railroad men and cowboys.
Several years ago it began to look as though another point in town could serve as an important museum. The Santa Fe Depot and reading room had been refurbished, and several individuals were intent on turning this into a museum. Because the project seemed to make a great deal of sense-the new site would be safer and more secure than the Cottage Hotel-several area residents loaned important artifacts to the developers. Unfortunately, the museum never took shape, and the artifacts have been misplaced, perhaps forever.
Many important items remain in town, however. The museum that houses the documents and artifacts belonging to the Seligman Historical Society is not generally open to the public. Personnel at the local library should be able to provide further information on how to access the Historical Society's materials. Contact the librarian, Charlotte Lindemuth (520-422-3633).
ARTIFACTS located in Cottage Hotel
I. Structures
Building:
Hotel, Cottage Hotel, 1912, on the National Register of Historic Places: housed railroad workers and cowboys and had a "Birthing Room" for the use of local residents; the structure now houses the Seligman Historical Society's artifact collection
Jail cell that came from Seligman jail, had been in Yuma Prison
Building Components:
Tin, flat, about two feet wide, typical of that placed on ceilings, about 2 feet wide, may have come out of Seligman Harvey House
II. Building Furnishings
Bedding
Afghan
Bedspread
Blanket, says "Santa Fe"
Mattress, from Santa Fe
Pillow cases, various, in Cottage Hotel
Pillows on the various beds located in the Cottage Hotel
Quilt, in birthing room
Furniture
Bed, metal frame, single, came from Harvey House, which was built early in 20th c.
Bed, in birthing room, typical of railroad bed, might have come out of clinic in Seligman
Bedstead, from Santa Fe Railway
Chair, caboose chair, came from Harvey House
Chair, depot, probably from office
Chair, overstuffed, (2)
Chair, rocking, wicker
Chair, rocking
Chair, round back, (2)
Chair, straight back (4)
Chair, straight back, donated by Clydella Miller (6)
Chair, wicker
Chair, wooden, folding
Chair, wooden recliner with faux leather padding
Cupboard, approximately 10 feel high, four feet wide, glass fronted section sits on lower part, which is approximately 3.5 feet high
Desk, by entrance of Cottage Hotel
Desk, small wooden desk, about 1.5x3, three drawers, probably came out of school
Desks, side arm from school
Drawer with glass on it from Santa Fe desk
Dresser with mirror
Dresser, three-drawer, large mirror, used 1920s, donated by Clara Mae McClendon
Mirror from Fred Harvey House
Mirror, wall, wood frame
Night stand (2)
Pew from old Methodist Church
Shelving, built out of old barn boards in the "school" area
Stool, Dr. R. M. Tafel's stool, date uncertain
Table, cafÈ, metal, (about 1.5' across)
Table, coffee
Table, poker, portable, origin and date unknown
Table, round wooden table
Table, telephone or vanity table, like the kind they had in Harvey Houses
Table, various (4)
Table, wooden corner table
Household accessory
Ashtray, (2)
Bowl and pitcher, ceramic set for bedroom use
Doilies, various, for tables and piano
Table coverings, various, often embroidered, donated by Clara Mae McClendon
Building: lighting device
Candle holder, small, unattributed
Lamp, old electric, no shade
Building Plumbing Fixture
Bathtub, Seligman Harvey House, donated by Fred Pritchett
Sink from Seligman Harvey House, donated by Fred Pritchett
Toilet, origin unknown
Building window or door coverings
Curtains, various, on windows in the Cottage Hotel
Personal artifacts
Personal clothing
Outerwear
Chaps
Dress, white, 1928
Pants, man, appear to be army or band trousers
Shawl, black beaded
Skirt, white, probably late 19th c.
Sweater, letter sweater from Seligman High School with megaphone, "John" 1967 (may have been John Delgadillo or John Layman)
Sweater, letter sweater from Seligman High School, with megaphone and letter (approx. '67)
Headwear
Hat, belonged to Leland Larson
Footwear
Shoes, Child's button shoes
Shoes, women's tie shoes
Personal Gear
Trunk, wood and metal, probably belonged to Lydia Bishop
Trunk
IV. Tools and equipment for materials
Fishing & Trapping T&E
Trap, steel, for catching smaller animals
Trap, steel, for slightly larger animals, probably coyote
Food processing T&E
Pot, coffee, old made of tin
Server, ceramic, resembles donkey
Shakers, salt and pepper, look like thatched huts
Skillet, shepherd's skillet plate, about 2', found close to Mt. Floyd near Beale Road
Spoon, large metal stirring spoon, 1874, donated by Clydella Miller
Food Service T&E
Cup, says Seligman 1886-1985, (2)
Cup and matching salad plate
Plate, dinner, says Seligman 1886, 1985
Plate, salad
Textileworking T&E
Sewing machine, Singer, electric, cabinet-type, probably late 1940s or early 1950s
V. Tools and Equipment for Science and Technology
Chemical T&E
Case, wooden storage or container case used to take water samples AT&SF RR, used by water department, approximately 1910
Maintenance T&E
Washing machine Speedqueen, wringer type, donated by Shirley Tedford
Medical and Psychological T&E
Crutch, Judge Bishop's
Merchandising
Cigarette dispensing machine, probably from 1950s $.35 cents a pack
VI: Tools and Equipment for Communication
Musical T&E
Player piano, Werner, Chicago, donated by Beverly Miller
Sound Communication T&E
Phonograph, school, probably late 1950s
Visual Communication
Lantern, loaned by Jim & Lee Wise
Lanterns used by brakemen, signal, various
Sign, National trails highway sign, donated by Fred Pritchett Written
Communication T&E
Typewriter, Royal, approximately 1950s
Typewriter, Underwood newspaper typewriter, longer carriage, no later than 1940s
VII. Distribution and Transportation
Container
Bottle, green
Bottle, milk
Bottles (4)
Bottles, small, various in glass cabinet in sitting room of Cottage Hotel (16)
Bucket (2)
Can, hand made possibly for kerosene or syrup probably prior to 1920s
Jug, whiskey
Land Transportation
Accessory
Blankets, saddle, various
Saddle (2)
Land Transportation
Tractor, probably donated by Lanny Newton, used in 1930s
Tire, solid rubber tire for truck found between Seligman and Crookton
Rail Transportation
Anchor, rail
Axe, pick, used for chipping out ties and putting in tie plates, probably used in 1920s
Cart, railroad, AZ Central and Prescott Railway, cart for hauling timber
Chute, coal for RR stoves
Generator, power, for lights in caboose
Jack, railroad, for light vehicles, used early 1900s
Nail, date nail collection for dating ties, 1902, 03, 04, 05, 06, 08, 09, 1921-69 donated by Fred Pritchett
Plates, square and diamond used on special ties (6)
Plates, tie, from old curvature of railroad taken out in 1910
Signal locks, signal locks, operate with wrench, three different kinds, used in 1980s
Wheel from caboose
VIII. Communication Artifacts:
Advertising
Calendars, Santa Fe RR, for 1970, 71, 79, 80, 82, 83, 86, collected by Fred Pritchett
Plaque, had a mirror on it, the plaque is a warning against stealing the mirror
Art
Prints, from Harvey House (7)
Drawing of cottage hotel on wall, many donated by Francis Kline
Figurine, Diamond A Ranch: cow, mantle piece
Figurines, horse and two cows and reclining cowboy
Picture, Jim Mahone, Walapai Indian Scout for Gen. Crook, died mid 1950s
Pictures, various on walls
Poster, color: "Ride behind a restored 1927 Santa Fe Locomotive,"
Poster from Life of "Route 66, Arizona", 2x3 B&W
Documentary artifact: souvenir plates, etc.
Books, rule and menu books from Santa Fe, various
Certificate of Safety, Santa Fe Water Service No 9, Shelton
Chart with brands of area, wall hanging
Encyclopedia: Universal Cyclopedia, 1900
Encyclopedia, Britannica, 1936
Map, wall-mounted, Atlantic and Pacific map came from old Depot in Williams
Pictures, wedding
Posters, safety posters from Harvey House
Personal symbol
Bell from Lions Club
IX. Recreational Artifacts
Games
Chips, poker
X. Unclassifiable artifacts
Artifact remnant
Metal objects outside
Metal spokes
